AU2008203093A1

AU2008203093A1 - Sacrificial Wheel Protector

Info

Publication number: AU2008203093A1
Application number: AU2008203093A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Rodney Darryl Hunwick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-07-01
Filing date: 2008-07-14
Publication date: 2010-01-21
Also published as: AU2008202885A1

Description

P/00/009 Regulation 3.10 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION for a DIVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION Invention Title: SACRIFICIAL WHEEL PROTECTOR The invention is described in the following statement, including the best method of performing it known to us; Our Ref: 082028 SACRIFICIAL WHEEL PROTECTOR The present invention relates to motor vehicle wheels and, more particularly, to the rims of alloy and chrome finished rims of motor vehicle or motorcycle.wheels. 5 BACKGROUND Many owners who take pride in the appearance of their vehicles suffer disappointment or even financial loss when damage to any part of the vehicle is sustained. A particularly vulnerable to damage parts of a vehicle are 10 the wheel rims, and especially those wheel rims which are of polished alloy, anodised or chrome plated. Particularly on the passenger side of the vehicle, the scraping of the wheels against a kerb at some time during the life of the vehicle is almost unavoidable. Even though 15 the sidewall of the tyre usually projects somewhat beyond the plane defined by the outer edge of the wheel rim, the resilience of the tyre can still allow considerable damage and loss of appearance to a rim when impacting along a kerb or other raise obstruction. 20 US5,967,212 discloses a wheel rim protector comprising a ring of material covering the outer edge of a wheel rim, with a retainer portion located between the bead of the tire and the inside surface of the bead retaining flange of the rim. For fitting purposes, the ring is discontinuous, 25 thus inevitably leaving an unsightly gap. More seriously, the retainer portion extends inwardly under the heel of the - 2 tyre bead so that the fitting gap potentially at least provides a continuous air passage into the interior of the tyre. It is an object of the present invention to address or 5 at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages. Notes 1. The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the 10 exclusive sense of "consisting only of". 2. The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons 15 skilled in the art in any country. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Accordingly, in a first broad form of the invention, there is provided a sacrificial wheel protector for minimizing damage to a wheel rim of a motor vehicle; said 20 protector comprising a ring of protective material extending beyond an outermost edge portion of a wheel rim; said ring of protective material substantially preventing damage to said outermost edge portion when a said wheel rim comes into glancing contact with a roadside kerb or other 25 obstruction; said protector further comprising a retaining - 3 means for securing said protective material to said wheel rim. Preferably, said ring substantially covers said outermost edge portion of said wheel rim. 5 Preferably, said ring is continuous. Preferably, said ring is formed of a series of segments arranged equally spaced around an outermost portion of said wheel rim. Preferably, said ring includes a buffer or cushion 10 portion and said retaining means; said buffer or cushion portion located at a periphery of said outermost portion of said wheel rim; said outermost portion substantially unobscured by said buffer or cushion portion. Preferably, said continuous ring of protective material 15 is attached to said wheel rim by said continuous retainer ring portion extending from an outer edge of said continuous ring of protective material. Preferably, said retainer ring portion is clamped between a lower edge of a sidewall bead of a tyre of said 20 wheel and an inner portion of a profile of said rim. Preferably, said continuous ring of protective material is applied to an outer edge portion of said wheel rim by an adhesive. Preferably, said adhesive is pre-applied as an adhesive 25 layer to an inner surface of said continuous ring of - 4 protective material; said adhesive layer is protected prior to use by a peel-off protective layer. Preferably, said continuous ring of protective material is provided in various profiles and diameters to suit 5 specific profiles and diameters of said outermost edge portion of selected wheel rims, Preferably, said continuous ring of protective material is provided in a series of joinable segments. Preferably, said continuous ring of material includes 10 an inner wall and an outer wall; said inner and outer wall defining a continuous hollow ring. Preferably, said protective material is a polymeric material. Preferably, said polymeric material is a heat shrink 15 material. Preferably, said continuous ring of protective material is provided in a range of colours and patterns. Preferably, an outer surface of said continuous ring of protective material is provided with a chrome or alloy 20 finish. Preferably, said sacrificial wheel protector is injection moulded in a two-colour process. Preferably, an outer surface of said continuous ring of protective material is inscribed with indicia. 25 Preferably, said continuous ring of material is transparent.

- 5 Preferably, said ring of material is reflective. Preferably, said ring of material is provided as original or optional equipment of a wheel rim; said ring of material releasably supported at a periphery of said wheel 5 rim. In another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of protecting an outer edge portion of a wheel rim of a motor vehicle; said method including the steps of: 10 (a) providing a continuous ring of protective material to suit a profile and diameter of an outer edge portion of a wheel rim, (b) providing said continuous ring with retaining means allowing said continuous ring to be releasably 15 retained at said outer edge portion, (c) fitting said continuous ring of protective material to said motor vehicle rim. Preferably, said retaining means comprises an inner retainer portion extending from an outer edge of said 20 continuous ring of protective material; said inner retainer portion clamping between an inner portion of a wheel rim profile and a sidewall of a tyre mounted to said wheel rim. Preferably, said retaining means comprises a self adhesive layer pre-applied to an inner surface of said 25 continuous ring of protective material; said self-adhesive - 6 layer protected prior to use by a peel-off protective layer. Preferably, said method further includes the application of heat to a heat shrinkable polymeric material 5 of said continuous ring of protective material and said inner retaining portion. In still another broad form of the invention, there is provided a wheel rim for a vehicle; said wheel rim including a replaceable sacrificial wheel protector; said 10 sacrificial wheel protector releasably mounted to said wheel rim by attachment means; said sacrificial wheel protector including a ring of protective material covering an annular portion of an outwardly projecting periphery of said wheel rim. 15 Preferably, said attachment means includes a series of screws attaching said sacrificial wheel protector to said outwardly projecting periphery. Preferably, said attachment means include one continuous slot provided in said wheel rim; said 20 sacrificial wheel protector provided with a corresponding projection from an inner surface of said wheel protector for insertion into said slot. Preferably, said attachment means include a series of equi-spaced slots in said wheel rim; said sacrificial wheel 25 protector provided with a corresponding series of - 7 projections from an inner surface of said wheel protector for insertion into said slots. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 5 Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a motor vehicle parked too close to a kerb, 10 Figure 2 is a detailed sectioned view of a portion of a wheel rim and tyre of the vehicle of Figure 1 showing the point of contact between the wheel rim and the side of the kerb, Figure 3 is a sectioned view of a portion of a tyre 15 and rim in which the rim has been fitted with a first preferred embodiment of a sacrificial wheel protector according to the invention, Figure 3A is a perspective view of a small section of the sacrificial wheel protector of Figure 3, 20 Figure 4 is a sectioned view of a portion of a tyre and rim in which the rim has been fitted with a second preferred embodiment of the invention, Figures 5 to 7 are further examples of preferred profiles and appearance of the embodiment of Figure 3, - 8 Figures 8A and 8B respectively, show an example of a profile of a preferred form of the wheel protector and a portion of a vehicle to which it has been fitted. Figures 9A and 9B respectively, show a further example 5 of a profile of a preferred form of the wheel protector and a portion of a vehicle to which it has been fitted Figure 10 is a sectioned view of sacrificial wheel protector provided with a recess for insertion of a selected insert ring, 10 Figures 11A and 11B are sectional views of wheel rims provided with attachment means for releasably supporting a sacrificial wheel protector according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 12 to 15 show further examples of attachment 15 means for releasably supporting a sacrificial wheel protector, Figure 16 is a sectioned view of a further embodiment according to the invention fitted to a tyre and wheel rim assembly of a vehicle. 20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to Figures 1 and 2, when a vehicle 10 is brought into a parking position adjacent the kerb 12 of a footpath (or alongside some other low vertically sided 25 obstruction) and the approach is too close, the outer - 9 portion 14 of the rim 16 may be brought into glancing contact with the kerb. Although the side wall 18 of a tyre 20 typically projects outwardly past the plane defined by the rim 16, 5 the flexibility of the tyre still allows the rim to make contact with the kerb as the tyre is deflected. Such contact may leave unsightly scouring of the outer portion 14 of the rim 16. With reference now to Figures 3 and 4, the present 10 invention provides a sacrificial wheel protector 22 comprising a continuous ring 24 of protective material substantially covering an outermost edge portion 26 of a wheel rim 16 when the wheel rim comes into glancing contact with a roadside kerb or other obstruction. 15 First Preferred Embodiment In a first preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 3A, the continuous ring of protective material 24 of the wheel protector 22 is attached to the wheel rim 16 by at least one inner retainer portion 28, 20 which extends from an outer edge of the continuous ring of protective material, and which is clamped between a lower edge of the sidewall bead 30 of the tyre 20 and an inner portion of the rim 16 profile. In a preferred arrangement, the retainer portion 28 is 25 itself a continuous ring of material clamped between the tyre sidewall bead 30 and the internal flange portion of - 10 the rim. However, it will be understood that this method of retaining the wheel protector may comprise of a number of segments of retainer portions 28 spaced at intervals around the around the wheel protector 22. 5 Preferably, the retainer portion includes, or is formed of a material with a high coefficient of friction to secure the material in position between the sidewall bead and the internal flange. Preferably also, in the case of the retaining material being a continuous ring, the 10 material is to some extent elastic so as to aid in centralising the location of the retaining material and the ring of protective material. In a further preferred arrangement, the ring of protective material and the continuous ring of the retainer 15 material, are adapted for heat-shrink fitting to the rim of a vehicle. In this instance, the device is made somewhat larger in diameter than the outer edge of the rim to which it is to be fitted. After initial positioning, a heat gun is used to apply heat evenly to the wheel protector, 20 shrinking it tightly onto the rim. An adhesive may be applied to the inside surfaces of both the retainer portion 28 and wheel protector ring to further aid in adhesion of the heat-shrink material. Second Preferred Embodiment 25 In a second preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in Figure 4, the wheel protector 22 again includes a - 11 continuous ring of protective material 24, but in this embodiment the ring of material is attached to the wheel rim by an adhesive layer 32. Adhesive layer 32 is pre applied to the inner surface of the wheel protector and is S covered prior to use by a peel-off protective layer (not shown). Although in each of the above preferred embodiments, the wheel protector 22 comprises a continuous ring of protective material covering all of the outermost portion 10 of the wheel rim, the protector may be provided in a number of joinable segments for convenience of packaging and application. In both of the preferred embodiments, the particular configuration of the inside surface of the wheel protector 15 continuous ring 24, its diameter and its depth "D" are provided in a range sizes and profiles to suit a wide range of alloy and chrome plated rim configurations. It will be noted that in none of the above described embodiments, does the retaining means interfere with the 20 sealing between the heel 31 of the tyre bead and the wheel rim 16. The continuous ring of protective material may be formed of a suitable polymeric material. In at least one preferred form, the ring when supplied as a one-piece 25 construction, may include an inner wall and an outer wall to define a continuous hollow ring. This ring may be air or - 12 liquid filled, or contain a resilient material such as a foam for example. Further preferred forms of the ring may include it being provided in a range of colours and chrome finishes. 5 In at least one form the continuous ring of material may be transparent, With reference now to Figures 5 to 7, the outer surface 34 of a wheel protecting ring may be profiled in a variety of decorative patterns, such as the multiple 10 grooving of Figures 5 and 6, or with a single recessed band such as shown in Figure 7 for example. Wheel protecting rings 24 may also be made in a variety of colours to either match or contrast with the colour of the vehicle to which the covers are to be applied. 15 In at least one preferred form of the embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 7, annular sections of the outer surface may be provided in contrasting colours by injection moulding in a two-colour injection moulding process. Thus for example in Figure 7, the main body portion of the ring 20 24 may match the vehicle colour, with the grove 36 in a contrasting colour. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 10, the ring forming the structure of the sacrificial wheel protector 122, may be provided with a recess 124 in its outwardly facing 25 surface 126, into which any one of a selection of ring inserts 128 may be fitted. The ring insert may be retained - 13 in the wheel protector recess 124 by suitably shaping of recess and insert ring profile as shown in Figure 10, or by a suitable adhesive for example. In a further preferred form of the invention, the 5 outer surface of the ring 24 may be provided with indicia, for example carrying the names and insignia of the vehicle maker or that of specialist wheel rim providers. Design excellence in many products has become associated with brand name recognition of well-known fashion houses, so 10 that in another example, the wheel protectors of the invention may be inscribed with well-know designer labels. Third Preferred Embodiment In this further preferred embodiment, the sacrificial wheel protector of the invention is provided as part of the 15 original equipment of a wheel rim. In this case, the rim is designed to releasably support a ring of sacrificial material covering the outermost, vulnerable to damage, portion of the rim. Thus as shown in Figures llA and 11B, the wheel rim 20 140 is provided with fixture means for attachment of a sacrificial ring 126 Fixture means may include a series of tapped holes 142 in the rim flange for screwed attachment of the ring 126, such as shown in Figure 1lA, or a series of holes for press fitting of lugs 146 correspondingly 25 spaced and projecting from the inner surface of the sacrificial ring 126 as shown in Figure 11B.

- 14 Further alternative arrangements for releasably attaching a sacrificial rim protector to a rim as original or optional equipment are shown in Figures 12 to 15. Thus as shown in Figure 12, the sacrificial ring 126 may be 5 attached by screws 142 driven from the inside of the rim flange 141. In another preferred form shown in Figure 13, the sacrificial ring 126 is formed at it inner periphery 143 with an inwardly extending lip 144 through which screws 142 are driven into an inner surface of the rim 140 below 10 the tyre bead seating. In yet another preferred attachment arrangement, the outer rim surface 145 is provided with a series of equally spaced blind slots 146 and the sacrificial ring 126 is provided on its inner surface 147 with corresponding 15 projections 148 which may be press-fitted into the slots 146. In a variation of this arrangement, a continuous slot is provided in the rim with a continuous projection on the inside surface of the sacrificial ring. In still another preferred arrangement shown in Figure 20 15, the sacrificial ring 126 (shown disassembled) is provided at its inner periphery with an inwardly projecting lip 144 and upturned flange 145. The inner surface of the rim 140 below the tyre bead seating is provided with a blind shallow groove 150 for receiving the upturned flange 25 145 of ring 126.

- 15 It will be understood that the sacrificial ring of these embodiments may take any of the decorative forms of the embodiments described above and may include rings of a metal or polymeric material, including Teflon, carbon fibre 5 or Kevlar. It may be provided in a selection of colours including the two-colour arrangement previously described, and may also be reflective or luminous. Although the present embodiment of a sacrificial wheel protector provided as original equipment with a rim, has 10 been described in terms of a continuous ring, it will be understood that the principle of the invention may be implement as a series of projecting sacrificial segments of a ring. Thus in Figure 14 for example, each of the grooves 148 may be fitted with a protective sacrificial element, 15 the elements together forming the protective sacrificial ring. Fourth Preferred Embodiment In still a further preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to Figure 16, a sacrificial wheel 20 protector 200 includes a buffer or cushion ring 210 of sacrificial material and retaining means 212. As previously described above, the retaining means 212 comprises tabs or a complete ring of suitable material extending from the buffer or cushion ring 210 portion and is captured between 25 the lower section 214 of the sidewall of a tyre 216 and the - 16 inside surface 218 of wheel rim 220, to which tyre 216 is fitted. In this embodiment, the buffer or cushion ring 210 is located at the periphery 222 of the outermost portion of 5 the wheel rim and does not extend over the outwardly facing portion 224 of wheel rim 220 so that virtually no part of the wheel rim is obscured from view._As can be seen in Figure 16, the inner portion of the buffer of cushion ring 210 substantially fills the annular niche formed between 10 the wheel rim periphery 222 and the side wall of tyre 216. However, as in other embodiments, the buffer or cushion ring of sacrificial material does project beyond the outermost portion of the wheel rim so that it, rather than the wheel rim itself, first comes into contact with a kerb 15 or other obstruction to which a vehicle approaches to closely. The buffer or cushion ring 210 in one preferred form may be mculded from a tough durable polymeric material, such as, for example, ABS. The ring may be of a solid 20 section, or be hollow, and filled with a suitable compressible material, including a gas, foam or elastomer, for example. In this latter form, that is hollow with a core of compressible material, the ring itself may be less likely to suffer serious damage when pressed into contact 25 with a kerb or other obstruction. In another preferred - 17 arrangement, the ring may include a reinforcement of metal or fibre. The retaining means 212 may be formed of a heat shrinkable material, as previously described, so that after 5 initial fitting to a rim, the application of heat will secure the sacrificial wheel protector to the rim. Alternatively, the securing of the retaining means 212 may be effected by the application of a suitable adhesive. - It will be understood that the present embodiment may 10 include any of the decorative and appearance characteristics of the embodiments described above. In Use The retro-fitting of the first preferred embodiment of 15 the sacrificial wheel protector requires at least a partial deflation of the tyre sufficient for the tyre bead to be pushed away from the inside flange surface of the wheel rim. The retainer portion in its continuous ring form of the wheel protector, is sufficiently flexible to allow it 20 to be manipulated over the rim periphery and seat between the tyre sidewall bead and the inside surface of the rim. In the preferred embodiment, the wheel protector of the invention is injection moulded in a heat shrink polymeric material and, after the initial fitting of the 25 continuous ring heat is applied to both the retainer portion 28 and the outer protecting ring 24. As a result -18 the shrinkage of the material causes both the retainer portion and the outer ring 24 to closely conform and substantially adhere to the wheel rim surfaces. When the retainer portion is provided in the form of a 5 number of segments, each segment is readily manipulated into the gap between the tyre sidewall and the inside surface of the rim. In the case of the second preferred embodiment described above, the wheel protector is readily applied to 10 the rim after peeling off the protective cover to expose the self-adhesive layer on the inner surface of the ring of continuous material. When a vehicle fitted with the sacrificial wheel protector of the present invention inadvertently contacts a 15 kerb or other vertically surfaced obstruction, damage to the wheel rim is prevented by the wheel protector. In most cases the wheel protector will itself sustain damage, but being relatively inexpensive, may be readily replaced thus maintaining an attractive appearance of the vehicle. 20 In the third preferred embodiments, the rim and sacrificial wheel protector are designed to fit together as an assembly for provision as either original equipment or as an available option. The rim is provided with attachment means for releasably supporting the protecting ring of 25 material, and the ring is designed with a matching arrangement of screw holes, projecting lugs or other - 19 attachment arrangements to suit the fixing arrangement of the rim. In these embodiments, a damaged sacrificial wheel protector is readily removed and replaced. The protecting ring may be made of any suitable 5 material. It may be made of metal, or may include metal within its moulding. It alternative forms it may be made of a reinforcing fibre or a composite of reinforcing fibres. 10 The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sacrificial wheel protector for minimizing damage to a wheel rim of a motor vehicle; said protector 5 comprising a ring of protective material extending beyond an outermost edge portion of a wheel rim; said ring of protective material substantially preventing damage to said outermost edge portion when a said wheel rim comes into glancing contact 10 with a roadside kerb or other obstruction; said protector further comprising a retaining means for securing said protective material to said wheel rim.

2. The protector of claim 1 wherein said ring substantially covers said outermost edge portion of 5S said wheel rim.

3. The protector of claim 1 or 2 wherein said ring is continuous.

4. The protector of claim 1 or 2 wherein said ring is formed of a series of segments arranged equally 20 spaced around an outermost portion of said wheel rim.

5. The protector of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said ring includes a buffer or cushion portion and said retaining means; said buffer or cushion portion 25 located at a periphery of said outermost portion of 21 said wheel rim; said outermost portion substantially unobscured by said buffer or cushion portion.

6. The protector of claim 1 wherein said continuous ring of protective material is attached to said 5 wheel rim by said continuous retainer ring portion extending from an outer edge of said continuous ring of protective material.

7. The protector of claim 6 wherein said retainer ring portion is clamped between a lower edge of a 10 sidewall bead of a tyre of said wheel and an inner portion of a profile of said rim, 4. The protector of claim 1 wherein said continuous ring of protective material is applied to an outer edge portion of said wheel rim by an adhesive. 15 5. The protector of claim 4 wherein said adhesive is pre-applied as an adhesive layer to an inner surface of said continuous ring of protective material; said adhesive layer is protected prior to use by a peel off protective layer. 20 6. The protector of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said continuous ring of protective material is provided in various profiles and diameters to suit specific profiles and diameters of said outermost edge portion of selected wheel rims. - 22 7. The protector of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said continuous ring of protective material is provided in a series of joinable segments

8. The protector of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein 5 said continuous ring of material includes an inner wall and an outer wall; said inner and outer wall defining a continuous hollow ring.

9. The protector of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said protective material is a polymeric material.

10 10. The protector of claim 9 wherein said polymeric material is a heat shrink material.

11. The protector of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said continuous ring of protective material is provided in a range of colours and patterns. 15

12. The protector of any one of claims I to 10 wherein an outer surface of said continuous ring of protective material is provided with a chrome or alloy finish.

13. The protector of any one of claims 1 to 10 20 wherein said sacrificial wheel protector is injection moulded in a two-colour process.

14. The protector of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein an outer surface of said continuous ring of protective material is inscribed with indicia. - 23

15. The protector of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said continuous ring of material is transparent.

16. The protector of any one of claims 1 to 10 5 wherein said ring of material is reflective.

17. The protector of any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein said ring of material is provided as original or optional equipment of a wheel rim; said ring of material releasably supported at a periphery 10 of said wheel rim.

18. A method of protecting an outer edge portion of a wheel rim of a motor vehicle; said method including the steps of: (a) providing a continuous ring of protective Is material to suit a profile and diameter of an outer edge portion of a wheel rim, (b) providing said continuous ring with retaining means allowing said continuous ring to be releasably retained at said outer edge portion, 20 (c) fitting said continuous ring of protective material to said motor vehicle rim.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said retaining means comprises an inner retainer portion extending from an outer edge of said continuous ring of 25 protective material; said inner retainer portion clamping between an inner portion of a wheel rim - 24 profile and a sidewall of a tyre mounted to said wheel rim.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein said retaining means comprises a self-adhesive layer pre-applied to 5 an inner surface of said continuous ring of protective material; said self-adhesive layer protected prior to use by a peel-off protective layer.

21. The method of any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein 10 said method further includes the application of heat to a heat shrinkable polymeric material of said continuous ring of protective material and said inner retaining portion.

22. A wheel rim for a vehicle; said wheel rim 15 including a replaceable sacrificial wheel protector; said sacrificial wheel protector releasably mounted to said wheel rim by attachment means; said sacrificial wheel protector including a ring of protective material covering an annular portion of 20 an outwardly projecting periphery of said wheel rim.

23. The wheel rim of claim 22 wherein said attachment means includes a series of screws attaching said sacrificial wheel protector to said outwardly projecting periphery. 25

24. The wheel rim of claim 22 wherein said attachment means include one continuous slot provided in said - 25 wheel rim; said sacrificial wheel protector provided with a corresponding projection from an inner surface of said wheel protector for insertion into said slot. 5

25. The wheel rim of claim 22 wherein said attachment means include a series of equi-spaced slots in said wheel rim; said sacrificial wheel protector provided with a corresponding series of projections from an inner surface of said wheel protector for insertion 10 into said slots.